Disciples for Christ

Today's Readings:
Rv 21:9-14
Ps 145:10-13, 17-18
Jn 1:45-51

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Bartholomew (or Nathanael) who was one of Jesus' early disciples. Like him, we too are called to go out and spread the Gospel, each according to how we live out our life. By offering all we have and all that we are to God, allowing his life to shine through each of us, we bring the message of the Gospels to all those we encounter. Today let us take what we have first received, our freedom in Christ, the mercy we have been given, the love we have been shown, and share it with each person we meet this day. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, help us this day to bring the message of the Gospel to all that we meet and in doing so share in your victory of the cross. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Bartholomew
"Bartholomew" was one of the first followers of Jesus. This apostle's other name was Nathaniel. He came from Cana in Galilee. He became a disciple of Jesus when his friend Philip invited him to come and meet the Lord. Nathaniel received high praise from Jesus, who said, as soon as he saw him, "Here is a man in whom there is no guile." Jesus meant that Nathaniel was an honest, sincere man who would never deceive anyone. His one desire was to know the truth. Nathaniel was very surprised to hear those words from the Lord. "How do you know me?" he asked. "Before Philip called you," Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree." That was a favorite praying-place. Nathaniel must have realized then that Jesus had read his heart as he prayed. "Master!" he cried. "You are the Son of God, the King of Israel." And Nathaniel became one of the Lord's faithful apostles. Like the other apostles, Nathaniel, or Bartholomew, preached the Gospel of Jesus at the risk of his life. It is believed that he went to India, Armenia and other lands. He preached with great zeal, until he gave his life for the faith. And so, to the reward of an apostle, St. Bartholomew added the martyr's crown.
Reflection: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (Jn 1:49)

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/august/0824.asp